Charly Shanks & Catriona Casey are the 2016 Irish Nationals champions after both claimed dramatic tiebreak wins in tonights finals in Colaiste Feirste, Belfast.
The Armagh man Shanks stormed to the opener 15-4, before Mulkerrins came from 7-1 down in the second to win a dramatic game 15-14 and force the tiebreak. Mulkerrins took an early 2-0 lead in the tiebreak before Shanks won five points in a row to lead 5-2. From there the Lurgan man pushed and and sealed the win 11-5.
In the Ladies Final, Catriona Casey added to her recent All-Ireland win by defeating big rival Aisling Reilly, despite Reilly cruising to a 15-7 first game win. Casey responded immediately though with a dominant 15-4 second game win before continuing her fine form into the tiebreak, winning 11-3.
- Mens Open Final – Charley Shanks (Arm) dft Martin Mulkerrins (Gal) 15-4, 14-15, 11-5
- Ladies Open Final – Catriona Casey (Cork) dft Aisling Reilly (Ant) 7-15, 15-4, 11-3
- Mens A Final – Ciaran Neary (Kilkenny) dft Michael Hedigan (Cork) 15-9, 15-14
- Mens B Final – Gavin Coyle (Mon) dft Daniel Relihan (Cork) 10-15, 15-5, 11-9
- Ladies B Final – Siobhan Tully (Ros) dft Linda Connolly (Ros) 9-15, 15-7, 11-6
- Mens C Final – Kevin Diggins (Kild) dft Kevin Barrett (Car) 13-15, 15-12, 11-8
- Ladies Challenger Final – Michelle Warren (Tyr) dft Elish Owens (Tyr) 15-2, 15-10
- Masters Final– Michael Ducksy Walsh (Kilk) dft Sean Devine (Ant) 15-4, 15-6
- Silver Masters – Paddy Crothers (Ant) dft Niall Kerr (Tyr) 15-8, 1-15, 11-10
- Golden Masters Final – John Herlihy (Cor) dft Paul Cassidy (Mon) 15-3, 15-9
- Emerald Masters – Michael Dowling (Kild) dft Thomas Maguire (Ant) 15-6, 15-5
- Diamond Masters Final – Eugene Kennedy (Dub) dft Anthony Caddell (Ant) 0-15, 15-8, 11-2
